ineffectual
7 synonyms and 7 antonyms for ineffectual, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Failing to produce the desired effect; not achieving much.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Failing to produce the desired effect; not achieving much.
“The committee's response to the crisis was slow and ineffectual.”
Opposites
Etymology
From in- + effectual, from Latin effectus, "accomplished."
Full origin of ineffectual →Frequently asked questions
What does “ineffectual” mean?
The word “ineffectual” means failing to produce the desired effect; not achieving much. In plain terms, not getting anything done, or lacking the backbone to make things happen.
How do you pronounce “ineffectual”?
“Ineffectual” is pronounced ih-nih-FEHKT-shoo-uhl (/ˌɪnəˈfɛkt͡ʃuəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “ineffectual” in a sentence?
Here is “ineffectual” used in a sentence: “The committee's response to the crisis was slow and ineffectual.”
What part of speech is “ineffectual”?
“Ineffectual” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ineffectual” come from?
The word “ineffectual” comes from Latin. From in- + effectual, from Latin effectus, "accomplished.".
How many meanings does “ineffectual” have?
“Ineffectual” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: failing to produce the desired effect; not achieving much.
